The Pearl

A very long time ago, I was a sophomore in high school. Back in those days, I was a super top notch student (sometimes I feel like I've drifted from my studious habits of the past) and chose to step up to the challenge of an honors English class. 

For our summer reading we were assigned "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck and given a few instructions.

Because the book was only 90 pages and it was our only summer reading (and probably, in part, because I was sure I'd be an English major in college) I read the book four times looking for all these insights. By the end of the summer I had only found a handful of references to Kino and animals, but after reading those four times, I was positive I'd found everything.

I came to class that first day very self-assured in my knowledge and capacities. Surely I'd mastered every part of this novella.

I was wrong.

As we studied Steinbeck's words, I was astounded at how many metaphors I'd breezed by. All the mentions of ants, mice, scorpions, fish, hawks- every reference had been the very thing I'd been looking for but hadn't seen. I was reading the narrative level when there were deeper sociological and symbolic meanings I couldn't yet decipher.

I'm beginning to re-read this book tonight. Just like my experience with "The Pearl," I'm able to gain new insight every time I open its pages. The last couple of times I've read, I've used different copies to mark my notes.

It's been really cool to see the differences in what I highlight. The last time was the first I'd gone through focusing on a specific topic-- how to be a more Christ-like leader. I think this next time I'll be looking for examples of charity and love. Feel free to join me and let me know what you think.

So much depends on what you do today.

One of my favorite things to volunteer with here at BYU is New Student Orientation. For the past three years I've had the great opportunity to help out with six NSOs. Every time I get the email asking me if I'd like to be involved in the next one, I always have to say yes. There is a special spirit with BYU's newest students. I always feel like I'm discovering BYU for the first time as I sit in convocation, explore campus on the Cougar Walk, visit Education in Zion, and laugh at Tradition of Honor.

The time that I have here at BYU is special. I'll never have an experience quite like this again in my life. A NSO first for me- at this session I was paired with transfer students, and not just my typical 20-30 students, but 80. To make things a little more daunting, this was also the first time that I didn't have a partner.

I was humbled. Eighty brand new BYU students and I was going to be their first impression of campus. Some of them were international students ranging from Jamaica, Colombia, Australia, Mexico, and South Korea- I could possibly be one of their first impressions of what the United States was like. Even though I was scared, and at times didn't know quite know what to do, I knew that I could be a friend to these students. Coming away from my experience today, I have a more sincere love for my fellow students at this university. I have a great testimony that each student is at this institution for a reason. I'm going to be working harder this semester to treasure this experience and truly have a BYU Experience.

Below is my favorite BYU movie. I get goosebumps every time.

Here's to a new semester. Winter 2011, I'm ready for greatness.

President Holland is one of my favorites.

I found this radio conversation between President Holland, his wife Pat, and Sheri Dew yesterday. It's about an hour and a half long but I think that you'll like it. Take a break and click here to listen.